Thinking a lot about life lately . . . things that were, things that are, things that may/could be . . . like dreams.
We’ve all had dreams. Still do. Some were envisioned during childhood and youth, others during our 20s and 30s, and a few came later. Some were realized, others changed. Some we [now] laugh at, others we [still] wish for.
My mom’s a fan of Gomer Pyle: USMC, as once mentioned, so I bought the DVDs (yeah, I’m old-school, what can I say, LMAO). Knew he could sing, but never knew he could sing until I watched the show. One episode in particular—“The Show Must Go On”—has Gomer (Jim Nabors) singing “The Impossible Dream”. OMG. What a voice. It makes me want to belt out the lyrics (fortunate are those not within listening range, LOL).
Especially spirited [moving] are these words:
That one man, scorned and covered with scars / Still strove with his last ounce of courage / To reach the unreachable star / To reach the unreachable start / For you know it’s impossibly high
A little history. “The Impossible Dream (the Quest)”—a popular song from the 1965 Broadway musical, Man of La Mancha—was scored by Mitch Leigh, with lyrics by Joe Darion. The song was first sung by Don Quixote (a character from 17th-century novelist Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote) when he was asked what he meant about following the quest. Quixote, by the by, had difficulty accepting the realities [struggles] of life and slipped into a fantasy world where windmills were monsters and he an honorable knight from a bygone era.
And a little trivia. In 1968, Senator George McGovern introduced Robert F. Kennedy, campaigning to be president, by quoting the song. It wasn’t that he thought Kennedy’s chance to become president was impossible, simply that he wanted “the audience to understand it’s worth making the effort, whether you win or lose”. What awesome advice. Endeavor, do your utmost, regardless of the outcome. Strive for that impossible dream.
Dozens of singers have covered the song and everyone has his/her favorite rendition, mine being you-know-who. I’d be remiss if I didn’t provide the lyrics and the wonderful YouTube vid showing Jim Nabors as Gomer singing the song. It was a toss-up whether to present the long or short version. The long has an “intro” as to how Gomer regains the voice he’s lost to stage-fright prior to a big Navy relief benefit show. The short is simply the song. . . . Flip of the coin. Ta-da! You get the long version. Enjoy!
When days seem bleak and nothing good/positive happens, “The Impossible Dream” instills hope and restores faith. Suddenly, nothing is impossible and that dream is within grasp. 
This is my quest / To follow that star / No matter how hopeless / No matter how far
Amen.
To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause
And I know if I’ll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
To reach the unreachable star
For you know it’s impossibly high
To live with your heart’s driving upward
To reach the unreachable star
Songwriters: Mitch Leigh / Joe Darion
The Impossible Dream lyrics © Helena Music Company, Andrew Scott Music, Vmg Golden Records Copyrights, Helena Music Corp., SCOTT ANDREW MUSIC
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